title: Trapping whiteflies? A comparison of greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum) responses to trap crops and yellow sticky traps.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Greenhouse whiteflies, Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood), are notorious pests that, through the reduction of crop yields and excretion of honeydew, cause significant economic losses for sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) growers. Chemical and biological controls are the two most common forms of whitefly management in greenhouses. Consequently, insecticide resistance and inadequate control have rejuvenated interest in alternative tactics. In the present study, whitefly responses to trap crops (eggplant and squash) and yellow sticky traps were compared in order to identify the most effective traps for dispersing and resident adults.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results indicated that yellow sticky traps were most effective at trapping adult whiteflies. Significantly more dispersing whiteflies were recorded on eggplant than on squash trap crops. None of the traps significantly reduced adult populations on the main crops (peppers) compared with the control. However, yellow sticky traps did significantly reduce oviposition on peppers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Adult whiteflies were most effectively trapped on yellow sticky traps followed by eggplant trap crops. Further study of whitefly trapping using visual cues may enhance trapping management. Specifically, research combining yellow sticky traps with other control strategies is recommended.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada. taramoreau@gmail.com
authors.forename: Tara L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Moreau
authors.forename: Murray B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Isman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018556:Crops, Agricultural / Q000469:parasitology*; D006430:Hemiptera / Q000502:physiology*; D010571:Pest Control / Q000379:methods*; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000469:parasitology*